naturalism

Etymology

From natural + -ism. Compare French naturalisme.

noun

1. A state of nature; conformity to nature.
2. The doctrine that denies a supernatural agency in the miracles and revelations recorded in religious texts and in spiritual influences.
3. (philosophy) Any system of philosophy which refers the phenomena of nature as a blind force or forces acting necessarily or according to fixed laws, excluding origination or direction by a will.
4. (philosophy) A doctrine which denies a strong separation between scientific and philosophic methodologies and/or topics
5. (art) A movement in theatre, film, and literature that seeks to replicate a believable everyday reality, as opposed to such movements as romanticism or surrealism, in which subjects may receive highly symbolic or idealistic treatment.
6. (nonstandard) naturism, nudism, social nudity.
   In most of the world nudity is prohibited. Where it is not, such as where "Nudism" and "Naturalism" prevails, it is usually the main thing going on. 2002, Ishvara, Oneness in Living: Kundalini Yoga, the Spiritual Path, and the Intentional Community, page 133
   "In the early 1950s, naturalism was seriously studied by the U.S. military, the concept being that exercising in the nude, as the ancient Greek generals did, was good for both the body and the mind," Seacrest reveals. 3 December 2002, Corey Michaels, “Area 51 Shocker”, in Weekly World News
   Besides progressive trends from the West, defenders of naturalism also called attention to "primitive" minorities who, like innocent children, were construed as effortless practitioners of naturalism with physical strength and beauty. 2013, Yunxiang Gao, Sporting Gender: Women Athletes and Celebrity-Making during China's National Crisis, 1931–45
7. (politics, law) The belief in natural law.